Something Fierce (Houston, TX), one of the leading lights on the label’s current roster, return with their 3rd release for Dirtnap. 3 more catchy, addictive, well-written, well-played mid-tempo punk/pop jams. If there is one thing you can count on with Something Fierce, it’s that they don’t make the same record twice. And while the songs here are not a million miles removed from last year’s Don’t Be So Cruel LP, it would seem like they are moving away from some of their more obvious 77-79 era punk influences, and rapidly adopting a more distinctive songwriting style.

Occult Detective Club (Denton, TX) started as a one man recording project, and has morphed into a full band lineup, with past and present members of Maaster Gaiden, ANS, Stymie, and lots more. We’re borrowing them from Alive/Bomp Records (who put out their stunning Crimes LP a couple of years ago) for this release, but they fit right in on our roster as well, and are a prime example of “that Denton sound” circa 2012. Fast, choppy, nervous riffs. Super catchy, short-but-well-thought-out-songs with good lyrics.

This record is a one time only pressing of 1000 and comes with a download card. Look for an all-new Something Fierce LP on Dirtnap in 2013!

Bad Sports Album Stream On Spin!

Guantanamo Baywatch “Chest Crawl”

August 18th 2013

2nd album (first for Dirtnap) of sexy, sleazy, reverb’d out slime from Guantanamo Baywatch. Guantanamo Baywatch was started by Jason Powell and Chevelle Wiseman in Portland about 4 years ago to an immediately enthusiastic reception, released a very well received and now out-of-print LP on Portland’s awesome Hovercraft Records, as well as a couple of EP’s/tapes. The band really came into it’s own, though, in late 2010, with the addition of Chris Michael (also in BOOM!) on drums. Technically they joined the Dirtnap roster in June 2011, but they took their time recording their debut for the label, done mostly at home by the band themselves.

Chest Crawl sees the band working more vocal numbers into the mix, incorporating the usual surf/garage suspects (Cramps, Trashmen), more obscure 50’s rock n’ roll/RNB wildmen, as well as slightly heavier nods toward the young-oldies sound being popularized today by bands such as Hunx, Shannon And The Clams, Nobunny, etc. Wildly popular here in Portland, and not afraid to tour, Guantanamo Baywatch are gonna be all over the place in 2012, starting with a 2 week tour with frequent bill-mates The Mean Jeans in March, followed by a solid summer of touring following the release of Chest Crawl.

Dirtnap doesn’t sign up local Portland bands very often (last one was Mean Jeans in late 2008!), so when we do, pay attention!